DIVERS—COLD-WEATHER DIVERS. 45 
of animals, whose presence they shun. The Iceland- 
ers, knowing this, often separate a peninsula from the 
mainland, and even cut islands where the ducks can 
easily be separated, and thus keep them free from dis- 
turbance, frequently cutting holes in shelving banks 
for the accommodation of their nests (vide ““Hooker’s 
Tour of Iceland”). They build their nests in sloping 
banks, depressions and crevices between rocks, etc., 
under juniper bushes and overhanging tufts of sea- 
weed. 
Their clutch is from four to six greenish-colored 
eggs. It is the largest duck we have, frequently be- 
ing seven pounds in weight. Length 24.00; wing 
13.00; tarsus 1.90; extent 38.00; middle toe 2.25. 
GENUS (Cdemia—SuBGENUS Felionetta. 
CEdemia perspicillata—Surr Scorer.—Habitat,.— 
Both Atlantic and Pacific coasts, the Great Lakes and 
large inland rivers, north to Alaska and extreme 
North America; south to 38°; sometimes quite com- 
mon upon our large lakes in mild winters; often called 
skunk coot, sea coot, etc. During the spring and late 
fall it may be observed on Lake of the Woods, Red 
and Leech lakes, down to Lake Michigan; often com- 
mon on Lake Winnipeg and the Great Red River of 
the North; large flocks, however, are rarely seen 
south of the 46° parallel. 
It feeds on shellfish, especially mussels, crayfish and 
fish spawn; besides a few bulbs of aquatic plants. The 
playground appears to be riding on the waves, mixed 
with other scoters and old-wives. It roosts on the 
open water, far out from land, working in during the 
